IND vs ENG 1st Test Match: The England batters were able to fend off Jasprit Bumrah on Day 5 and pull off a historic run chase of 371 at Headingley, Leeds. India had a glimmer of hope after Ravindra Jadeja dismissed captain Ben Stokes but experienced batter Joe Root and young blood Jamie Smith's unbeaten partnership led England to a five-wicket win to take a 1-0 lead in the series. Root and Smith took the attacking approach a few overs before the second new ball was due. By the time 80 overs were completed, England needed 22 more runs to win. Despite the uphill task, Bumrah was expected to bowl but it didn't happen. There were concerns over whether Bumrah's injury has resurfaced but captain Shubman Gill said that it wasn't like that.
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Gill did not think seem to think India can make a comeback with the new ball and did not bring back Bumrah who was off the field at the time.
“No, he's completely fit. Nothing like that. They were 15 or 20 runs left, so we just wanted to give it to some other bowlers, but he is definitely fit,” Gill told the BBC after the match.
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Bumrah had suffered a back injury in the Sydney Test earlier this year which ruled him out of home series against England, the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and a few Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 games as well. India have already announced that Bumrah will play three Tests. However, it is not set in stone which three Tests he will play. The second Test will be played at Edgbaston, Birmingham, starting July 2. Gill did not reveal whether Bumrah will play the second Test or not as the decision will be taken closer to the game.
“It's definitely match-by-match. We've got a good break after this match. Once we go to Birmingham and see the wicket, we will see if he's going to play that one or not,” said the 25-year-old.
Bumrah goes wicketless on Day 5
Bumrah picked up a five-wicket haul in the first innings but remained wicketless in the second. He bowled 19 overs including three maidens and conceded 57 runs. He dropped half a chance off his own bowling, giving opener Zak Crawley a reprieve.
Bumrah's last appearance at Edgbaston
Last time Bumrah played a Test at the venue, he took five wickets at an average of 28.40. It was Bumrah's first Test as captain. India lost the Test by seven wickets as Root and Jonny Bairstow's centuries helped them chase down a mammoth target of 378.
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